Kentucky tea party groups say best part of Bevin's candidacy is that it offers a choice

NEWPORT- The first two crowds for Republican U.S. Senate challenger Matt Bevin weren’t big by political rally standards — a little more than 100 people showed up in Frankfort and Campbell County combined on Wednesday.

But the core supporters who did show up said they were thrilled to see a challenger to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell because, they say, at least it gives them a choice for the nomination. As McConnell tries for a sixth term in the Senate, these Republicans said they’re glad he will have to earn it — including the GOP nomination.

A crowd of about 40 people were on hand at the Campbell County Courthouse to learn more about the man who is trying to unseat the Senate Republican Minority leader. Here are their initial reactions:

Earlier in the day in Frankfort, a mix of tea party faithful and Bevin’s business associates showed up among the 65 supporters at Bevin’s kick-off rally in the Capitol Rotunda.

Brad Stengel works for the company Neuronetrix, Inc., where Bevin serves on the board. Stengel said he considers himself to be a conservative and has nothing particularly against McConnell. But he said he’d like to see a change and he’d prefer Bevin. Here’s why:

Southern Kentucky- Bowling Green Tea Party chair Jenean Hampton said the tea party in the state thoroughly vetted Bevin when choosing Bevin as a candidate. Here is what Hampton said about the claims by the McConnell campaign that Bevin is a “tax delinquent”: